Used Video Games

I was reading an article about the used video game business (if you wanna read it, it's here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/video_games_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002035113).  I was just wondering what everyone's used game habits are. 

I personally think the used games business is a little shady.  I never trade in games because the margin is so small, and I love how they pay you a small amount and then sell your game for just $8 under the price of a new game....yeah.   Oh, and the $3 difference between new and used player's choice games!!  They must make a killing.

When buying, if there's a choice between a new one and a used one, I buy the new one.  The used games I buy are the ones that aren't made anymore. I think this is the best model me, a way to find an out of print game, and in that way it's a great service for me.  I also think it hurts the game makers when they sell games that just came out used.

...oh, and I hate that seedy look the clerks give you when return to the store and tell them the used game you bought doesn't even turn on!  They barely blink an eye and you can just feel them chuckling inside.  I mean if the game doesn't turn on in my console, there's no way they even tested it.  And they act all cheery when they replace your game - like the fact that they exchange it no questions asked is consolation for you driving all the way back to the mall.  Sorry if anyone here works there, but I had to vent about that.

....oh, and on a different problem, why have some stores instituted a policy of adding the insurance to the price of a game when they're ringing you up.  The first time this happened, I bought a DS game (it always comes out to less than $40) and he smiled at me and said the total was $42 and change, and I let out a little Scooby Doo noise, then he said it included insurance.  I promptly made him remove it.  They still do it, but I'm assuming the gap between when they tell you the price and the explanaion is smaller now....I guess cuz I was so caught off guard the first time....

When buying, if there's a choice between a new one and a used one, I buy the new one.  The used games I buy are the ones that aren't made anymore. I think this is the best model me, a way to find an out of print game, and in that way it's a great service for me.  I also think it hurts the game makers when they sell games that just came out used.Angelbabe531

I agree completely. I never buy used games for current consoles. The only games I buy that aren't in the original factory sealed plastic are titles that are no longer in production (N64 and back). I also never buy used games from EB or GameStop for the same reasons you mentioned above. There's no reason to charge those kinds of prices. I find small chains or mom & pop stores for my used games.

....oh, and on a different problem, why have some stores instituted a policy of adding the insurance to the price of a game when they're ringing you up.  The first time this happened, I bought a DS game (it always comes out to less than $40) and he smiled at me and said the total was $42 and change, and I let out a little Scooby Doo noise, then he said it included insurance.  I promptly made him remove it.  They still do it, but I'm assuming the gap between when they tell you the price and the explanaion is smaller now....I guess cuz I was so caught off guard the first time....Angelbabe531

That's pretty sketchtastic. The guys at my local EB have asked me about it before, but they can't tack it on without checking with you first. That's poor business and just plain dishonest. The average consumer would have just paid the $42 and not even thought to ask.

That's pretty sketchtastic. The guys at my local EB have asked me about it before, but they can't tack it on without checking with you first. That's poor business and just plain dishonest. The average consumer would have just paid the $42 and not even thought to ask.

DrFish62

I know!  I was almost certain they were trying to scam me, I mean it was a rung-up amount, down to the cents.  It's not as if they said, "hey for $3.50 more you can get insurance".  I of course have no real way of knowing if they were going to tell me in time because I could have attributed the gap in time to my shock.  They still do it sometimes though, like with Silent Hill 2 the other day at another one, they tacked on an extra $1 and said it included insurance.  I laughed in his face...the game only cost $7.99!  Maybe it's cuz I'm a girl, in that case, it makes me madder! :evil:

I prefer to buy new games over used. If there's a game I really want, and I just can't seem to find a new copy of it, then I'll buy it used, sure. Or, older games that have been out for quite a while. But, I think one of the best things, is to try to look for deals online; like on eBay. Sometimes you get lucky and find a game that's cheaper then what the retailers are selling. Plus, shopping online is just more convenient, if you can stand the wait while it ships. But I don't ever trade in either games nor systems. I keep them, cause it's kind of nice to say "I own that!" unless it's something really bad.

Like E.T.! :D (no, I don't own it, I don't think ANYBODY does!)

I really don't mind buying used games. I haven't had any problems with them. plus they're cheaper. But when you trade in games they'll sell them for much more than what they gave you. I guess you really can't get mad at that cause they need to make their money somehow.

INSURANCE!??  I've never heard of that!  What store does that?

I got bent over so bad once turning in some used and just-released games.  Never again, it's a racket.
laserone

They say that if the game breaks for any odd reason, being that it simply doesn't want to play, or it get's scratched or the lens won't read it cuz it's in bad shape, they'll replace it with a working one.  They also went on to say they'll replace it if you yourself damage it - be it you scratching it, scorching it, throwing it against the wall out of frustratiion that you couldn't pass it, accidentally letting it fall in the toilet, or whatever.

That's pretty sketchtastic ...DrFish62

I prefer to buy new games over used. If there's a game I really want, and I just can't seem to find a new copy of it, then I'll buy it used, sure. Or, older games that have been out for quite a while. But, I think one of the best things, is to try to look for deals online; like on eBay. Sometimes you get lucky and find a game that's cheaper then what the retailers are selling. Plus, shopping online is just more convenient, if you can stand the wait while it ships. But I don't ever trade in either games nor systems. I keep them, cause it's kind of nice to say "I own that!" unless it's something really bad.

Like E.T.! :D (no, I don't own it, I don't think ANYBODY does!)

Tarnsyn

My mom gave E.T. to me for christmas when I was a kid.  UGHH!

Wow jimmy, those are pretty nice deals!  There's a specialty used games store that I know of, but it's too out of my way to go to all the time.  It's a small mom and pop place.  I found them when one of nephews broke his PS2...for the second time...

I think what bothers me most about the financial part is that they keep the profits for themselves, of course, and they're pretty big margins.....and they keep it for what, stocking them?  At least the developers make the games, and the customers are paying for them, but the middle man gets a big chunk....it's just very disappointing.

You bring up another point about the price of games, they are cheaper to manufacture.  Game makers are concerned with making their money back - the money they put into making them....most likely as quickly as possible.  Do guys you think the $60 price tag is jumping the gun a bit?

I think what bothers me most about the financial part is that they keep the profits for themselves, of course, and they're pretty big margins.....and they keep it for what, stocking them? At least the developers make the games, and the customers are paying for them, but the middle man gets a big chunk....it's just very disappointing.Angelbabe531

[QUOTE="Angelbabe531"]I think what bothers me most about the financial part is that they keep the profits for themselves, of course, and they're pretty big margins.....and they keep it for what, stocking them? At least the developers make the games, and the customers are paying for them, but the middle man gets a big chunk....it's just very disappointing.jimmycanuck

I would have to go out and get the word "STUPID" tattooed on my forehead if I spent $60 on a video game.dcgames

Oh, lol, you did clarify, I on the other hand failed to mention $60 US on new next-gen games, $10 increase from standard $50 US for a game.  I'm certain DC meant the same thing.  Do you guys think they're jumping the gun on making their return?  I for one don't want to pay it....dcgames for two, lol!

....also, you're right, a lot of that info isn't made readily available.  I guess it's designed to keep us from getting too mad, as it's safe to say when we see the profits on used games they make, we feel pretty abused, imagine new games.

Used games have become such a huge business now that the developers are crying that it is more costly to them than piracy. The few that really got into it early such as GameStop are rolling in the dough now.

I personally am very thankful for used game access, as my collection would be about 1/3 of it's size if I could only buy new.

Thanks Gamespot.

I've never liked buying second hand games, dunno why just personal preferance i guess. As you said its massive business now and seems most of the high street retailers of games do this in uk now. Its pure profit for the shops and its only really been the last year, year and a half its taken off.

The thing is you only save about a £1 on older games and maybe £5 on new games when buying used games and with the publishers starting to us MP pass codes and exclusive DLC, you'll end up spending more for a second hand game.

Yeah, when buying a used game for the MP, you have to be careful and do the calculations considering the cost of MP access costs, especially if it is an EA game.